Rural Food Banks Receive Surprise Grants from Arizona Community Foundation

In a special #GivingTuesday roadtrip, the Arizona Community Foundation awarded nearly $300,000 to food banks and community food pantries across the state. ACF President & CEO Anna María Chávez, Esq., and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Kim Covington drove from one corner of the state to another in three days handing out checks and giving hope to rural communities with grants ranging from $3,500 to $25,000. In many cases, the families living in rural communities have little to no access to food assistance without the local food pantry. Seniors are one of the hardest hit populations. In Quartzsite, for example, 65% of total residents are seniors.

“The (Friends of the) Quartzsite Food Bank serves 70%-80% seniors, and many are homeless,” said Kim. “I drove around and found no grocery stores, so the food bank is one of their only sources of food. I am saddened that so many seniors are really struggling, but happy that we could provide even a small measure of support.” 

This was the first of two award cycles to be distributed before the end of the year. ACF leaders in locations across the state are dropping in to provide on-the-spot support all the way through the end of the year. Alex Vieyra, philanthropic advisor, awarded a check for $12,500 to the Yuma Community Food Bank.

“They were ecstatic to receive this,” he said. “Right now, with the holidays, funding shortages, and other challenges, our community, like others, is financially stretched thin. It keeps me inspired to be able to see their smiles in person.”

Rising to the Occasion 

ACF’s individual and corporate donors and other funding partners have stepped up by donating more than $550,000 in 30 days to the Thriving Arizona Fund, which provides support and resources for Arizona’s greatest needs. The ACF-directed fund was created to provide support for nonprofits where it’s needed, when it’s needed; now is that time. As one anonymous donor stated, “Donors appreciate the stress that these times create, and they want to aid those who are struggling financially.”

To ensure ACF stays on top of community challenges, Chávez and Covington recently met with 30 Arizona food bank CEOs and other funders to discuss ways to meet the increasing needs in the first Funder’s Collaborative: Food Bank Ecosystem convening.

“In moments like this, we’re not just sharing resources; we’re strengthening a collective safety net that no single organization could build on its own,” said Kim. “The convening was a reminder that recovery isn’t linear, and the pressure on our communities remains real.”

Nearly 1 million Arizonans are at risk of hunger, according to the Arizona Food Bank Network. In particular, the need for food assistance in rural communities has risen 10%-20% since last year; every 9 out of 10 counties with food insecurity is in a rural area, states Feeding America. Food banks are sometimes the only source of food, not only due to low income, but because they are in “food deserts,” where grocery stores are too far away and there are no other sources of healthy, nutritious food.

“The challenge is still great, but the generosity of our donors in this moment has surpassed all my expectations,” said Chávez. “These amazing nonprofits are working so hard to fill the local needs and many are running out of food to give to families following Thanksgiving and into the holiday season,” said Chávez. “The fact that we can give food pantries a check and a hug or handshake on behalf of our donors just fills my heart.”

These food banks/ pantries have received their awards:

• Canyon Day Assembly of God, Whiteriver
• Community Action Human Resources Agency, Eloy
• Flagstaff Family Food Center
• Show Low First Baptist Church
• Silver Creek Senior Center, Winslow
• FIBCO Family Food Center, Phoenix
• First Southern Baptist Church (Duncan Food Bank)
• Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center
• Friends of the Quartzsite Food Bank
• Greater Hope Christian Church Food Pantry
• Hope Inc., Sierra Vista
• Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture Institute, Tuba City
• Manzanita Outreach, Cottonwood
• Nalwoodhi Denzone Community (San Carlos Apache Tribe)
• Old Concho Community Assistance
• Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry, Safford
• Prescott Meals on Wheels
• Winslow Council on Aging
• Shepherd’s Kitchen, Snowflake
• St. Jude Food Bank, Tuba City
• Yuma Community Food Bank

Donor-directed and ACF-directed grants and scholarships totaled a record $37 million awarded to students and nonprofit organizations in fiscal year 2025. But as nonprofits that serve rural communities continue to struggle with rising prices and decreases in federal, ACF encourages the community to continue Arizona’s tradition of charitable giving by donating to a local nonprofit, volunteering their time, or giving to ACF’s Thriving Community Fund, which will continue supporting the greatest needs and allow ACF to be nimble in awarding grants.

To speak to a relationship manager, contact your local ACF office or call us at 602.381.1400. Fundholders can make a gift to a food bank from their ACF fund before the end of the year, provided they meet the deadline.